Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you take my insurance?

Well, the better question would be, "Why don't they take me?"

I am continuing to try to "get on" every insurance plan that I can, as soon as I can.  Recognizing that most patients have little choice when selecting their health insurance, picking and choosing which plans are best for me only penalizes someone for a choice made by his employer.  

Unfortunately, several obstacles have arisen:

• Some plans have not called me back despite repeated requests for information.

• We do not know about some plans unless someone on the plan calls us.

• Some plans offered by employers in other counties do not extend into Osceola county, even if you live here.

• Most plans will not even consider a physician application until after hospital privileges have been granted.  Since I was just granted privileges at Orlando Regional Healthcare System a few weeks ago, we are now waiting 60-90 days after that. 

Overall, the whole mess is just bureaucratic.  Therefore, I am not been on most major insurance plans, even though I have been open for several months.  Click here to check out the status of your plan.

Some plans, by the way, do have an "open access" option that allows you to see any physician if you are willing to pay a  higher co-pay.

How can I help get you on my insurance?

The most effective approach is to call your employer's Human Resources Dept.  Tell them that you want me to be on your insurance plan as soon as possible.  Then have other employees call, too.  If enough of you call, your HR Dept. will call your insurer.  When your company calls, the insurer responds.

What if I am on a managed care plan?

Your insurer has a list of approved "providers" from which you previously have chosen a "primary care physician (PCP)"; his name should be on your insurance card.  Once I have been added to the provider panel, you must submit a "change of PCP" form and designate me as your new PCP.  This usually must be done by the middle of the month for the change to be effective as of the next month.  

Fortunately, these lists are now frequently available at your insurer's website and updated often, so I should appear on them shortly after I am credentialed.  I will also update the status of each insurer on the insurance section of this site.